"Those
Guys Have All the Fun" by James Andrew Miller and Tom Shales (Little
Brown, 763 pages, $27.99) is a mother lode of data about the world of ESPN.
This oral history has more than 500 voices including Chris Berman, Erin Andrews,
Jimmy Kimmel, Tony Kornheiser, Rush Limbaugh, Tony Hawk, Dick Vitale.

The result is a masterwork ­ a behind-the-scenes look at the media monolith
that was and now is more than ever - -ESPN ­ told by many of the people
who observed and experienced it. As an oral historian, I can truly appreciate
the hard work and the creativity that went into this exceptional book. HIGHLY
RECOMMENDED

From Excelsior Editions (SUNY Press) comes a quartette of sports titles of
varying subject matters but all interesting. The star of the four is
"The
Stadium" with photographs by Jon Plasse ($19.95, coffee table size).
This slim volume is sub-titled "Images and Voices of the Original Yankee
Stadium." One could quibble with that wording since the "original Yankee
Stadium got a face lift in the 1970s. No Matter ­ this is a worthy work
showcasing artful black and white images to my knowledge never before seen
in a book. BELONGS ON YOUR SPORTS BOOKSHELF.

Others from Excelsior include: "When Boxing Was a Jewish Sport" by Allen
Bodner, ($24.95, 207 pages, paper), "Blows to the Head" by Binnie Klein ($19.95,
197 pages). The book's slant is how boxing changed the author's mind. And
finally there is "Six Weeks in Saratoga" by Brendan O'Meara ($24.95, 267
pages) all about the wondrous tale of Rachel Alexandra, the three-year-old
filly who ran to triumph in the Preakness 2009.

Full disclosure: As the author of what people are calling the definitive
book on Fenway:
"Remembering
Fenway Park" and as one of the newest members of Red Sox Nation, I am
pleased to review the children's book "Frankie Goes to Fenway" by Seneca
Clark and Sandy Giardi with illustrations by Julie Decedve and "Fenway Park"
by Saul Wisnia.

"Frankie
Goes to Fenway" (Three Bean Press, $18.95, coffee table size) is sure
to please fans of all ages. It is cleverly written, artfully illustrated
and a product that much loving care went into. It features Frankie who exited
his Vermont domicile and happily took up residence at Fenway. It was a blissful
existence until a New York cat came on the scene. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED . The
Wisnia book is a slight job with a hefty price tag ­ 173 pages and $29.99.
Many long sentences mar coherence; a good editor was needed.

"Harvey Frommer's Fenway Park first captivates the reader with its visual
beauty. They are all there, some in color some in black and white, Ted the
Thumper, the matchless Yaz, Mysterioso Manny, even The Babe. And the people,
yes the people, from all corners of New England. Add to these images Mr.
Frommer's trenchant prose and you have one memorable book."

- Roger Kahn

"Daringly organized as a mosaic of Red Sox Nation, Remembering Fenway Park
glitters with fond memories and delightful surprises. Anyone who has ever
sat in Fenway, or longs to, will love this book. In his sure hands with oral
history, Harvey Frommer is a treasure of our national pastime." -John Thorn,
Official Historian for Major League Baseball